Royals 4, Mariners 2 -- Iwakuma looks solid, Hultzen returns

The Mariners’ Cactus League slide continues as they suffered their sixth loss in seven games. Seattle struggled at the plate, managing just four hits. Kansas City had nine hits with Billy Butler, Salvador Perez and Xavier Nady driving in runs with RBI singles.

Play of the game

The first pitch Carlos Triunfel saw from Royals starter Ervin Santana was a fastball under his chin. The second pitch was a curveball that buckled his knees in the batters box. The third pitch was deposited over the left field wall. Triunfel hit his first homer this spring, yanking a 1-1 fastball over the wall in left field.

Digital Access for only $0.99

Mariners starter Hisashi Iwakuma gave up two runs on four hits in four innings of work. But he was pretty darn good for most of the start. Iwakuma was perfect through the first three innings, getting eight ground ball outs and striking out Mike Moustakas. He allowed his first hit on a groundball off the glove a of a diving Triunfel at second base.

Who was not

The Seattle offense looked a lot like the Seattle offense of the past few seasons. The Mariners managed just four hits in the game, while striking out 14 times. Mariners hitters only came up three times with runners in scoring position.

Quotable

“We’ve been here quite a while, but we still have a ways to go.” – Mariners manager Eric Wedge.

Extra innings

Jason Bay got his second straight start as the lead-off hitter. He went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. … Charlie Furbush was hit hard for the second straight appearance. The lefty gave up a run on two hits and also had a walk. … Michael Morse took a fastball off the arm from Nathan Adcock. He stayed in the game, but was wearing a big icepack on the spot postgame. … Triunfel was the 20th different Mariners player to hit a home run this season. The team now has 33 homers this spring – the most in the major league. … Casper Wells did not suit up for the game because of a stiff neck, but he participate in a full work day at the complex.

On tap

The Mariners will have two games tomorrow. Seattle will participate in a 7-inning “B” game against the Cleveland Indians in Goodyear at 10 a.m. James Paxton will get the start, while Taijuan Walker and Carter Capps will also pitch in the game. Later in the day in Peoria, the Mariners will host the Cincinnati Reds. Joe Saunders will start for Seattle with Brandon Maurer, Oliver Perez and others scheduled to pitch The Reds will start Homer Bailey. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. The game will not be broadcast live locally.

Read Next

Felix Hernandez threw 38 pitches in three innings with five strikeouts and a walk in his first start since being hit in the arm by a line drive four weeks ago. He appears on schedule to compete for a 10th consecutive Opening Day start if it’s not James Paxton.